Quick adjust support system with trapped or integral wedge

ABSTRACT

A support system includes a support post and support means for adjustably supporting a member to the support post. The support means includes a locking mechanism movable between a first position for press-fitting the support means, directly or indirectly, against the support post and a second position for releasing the press-fitting. The locking mechanism has a surface that abuts the support post, or a wedge member associated with the support post, when in the first position thereby to effect the press-fitting and that is released from the support post when moved to the second position to release the press-fitting.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/426,009, filed Nov. 14, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an item-supporting structurethat can be used to support shelving or other elements for carrying orsupporting any desired item. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a support assembly for use in, for example, a knock-downshelving system, to adjustably support shelves.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Shelving systems having adjustable height shelves and so-called“knock-down” type shelving systems are known, and each has utility inmany applications. For example, a knockdown shelving system withadjustable height shelves may be used in food service, industrial,commercial, hospital, and similar fields for storage of any desireditems.

One type of known adjustable, knockdown shelving system is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 3,424,111 (Maslow) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,523,508 (Maslow),which are assigned to the assignee of the subject invention. Theadjustable shelving system disclosed in these patents has achieved greatcommercial success under assignee's trademark SUPER ERECTA SHELF. Thisshelving system uses a plurality of cylindrical support posts providedwith a series of equally spaced, annular grooves on its outer surface. Abasic shelving system might include four support posts to support one ormore formed-wire shelves, with each shelf having afrusto-conically-shaped collar at each corner for receiving a supportpost. A two-piece interlocking sleeve fits around the support post. Thesleeve features a rib on its interior surface for engaging one of thegrooves on the support post and has a frusto-conically-shaped outersurface, which is widest at the bottom, designed to complement the shapeof the shelf collars. The support posts fitted with sleeves are receivedin the collars of each shelf to assemble the shelving system. Whenassembled, the weight of the shelf creates a radially-inwardly directedforce between the collars and sleeves. This force brings the sleevesinto a locking relation with the posts and creates a wedging forcebetween the collars and sleeves.

While the SUPER ERECTA SHELF shelving system has proven very successfulin providing an easy to assemble shelving system with a substantialload-bearing capacity, adjusting the shelves can sometimes require theuse of a hammer or other tool to disengage the shelf collars from thesleeves. The weight of the shelf and any items supported thereon,especially over time, can build up the wedging force between the shelfcollars and the sleeves to the point where a significant amount of forceis needed to raise the shelf off of the sleeves.

A shelving system with easy to adjust shelves is provided in U.S. Pat.No. 5,415,302. This shelving system uses hanger brackets to permit easyinstallation and adjustment of the shelves without requiring thedisassembly of the entire shelving system or the use of tools. Thisshelving system is known commercially under the trademark QWIKSLOTSHELF, and the patent is also assigned to the assignee of the subjectinvention. The QWIKSLOT SHELF shelving system uses support posts formedwith a plurality of elongated slots at regular vertical intervals forreceiving the hanger brackets. The slotted support post can also haveannular grooves as discussed above in the SUPER ERECTA SHELF shelvingsystem. A notch in each hanger bracket receives a truncated corner of ashelf.

The hanger brackets used in the QWIKSLOT SHELF shelving system allow foreasy adjustment of the shelves. A potential drawback in someapplications, however, is that shelves secured by means of the hangerbrackets do not provide the heavy-duty load bearing capacity of othershelving systems, such as the SUPER ERECTA SHELF shelving system. Inaddition, the slots in the posts are not acceptable in some food serviceapplications.

Still another type of successful shelving system, sold and marketedunder the trademark METROMAX features a “knock-down” configuration thatuses triangular support posts. Such a system is the subject of U.S. Pat.No. 4,811,670, U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,350, U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,337, andU.S. Pat. No. 5,279,231, which also are assigned to the assignee of thesubject invention.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,670, a corner assembly for securing each cornerof a shelf to the triangular support post includes a wedge member, acorner bracket structurally associated with the shelf and a collar. Thewedge member snap-fits on the support post, and the collar and cornerbracket form a sleeve around the support post. The formed sleeve fitsagainst the support post and wedge member and supports the shelf by awedging force.

The shelving systems in U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,350, U.S. Pat. No.5,271,337, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,231, feature modular shelves incombination with the triangular support posts. The modular shelvesinclude a rectangular shelf frame formed from two end beams connected totwo side beams. A center beam may be inserted between the end beams,parallel to the side beams, to increase the load-bearing capacity of thesystem. A plurality of plastic shelf mats are adapted to be snap-fitonto the shelf frame. The shelf frame is secured to the support post bycorner assemblies comprised of a corner portion of the end beam, a wedgemember and a separate collar. A sleeve-formed by the corner portion andthe collar is seated on the support post and wedge member and secured bya wedging action. Two lock cylinders lock the collar to the cornerportion to secure the sleeve.

While the design of the modular shelf provides many advantages,adjusting the shelf can, on occasion, require use of a hammer or othertool to disengage the formed sleeve from the wedge member for the samereasons discussed above in connection with the SUPER ERECTA SHELFshelving system.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,009 and No. 6,113,042, each of which areincorporated herein by reference and are similarly assigned to theassignee of the subject invention, feature a support system forsupporting a member on a support post. The support system of these twopatents is sold and marketed under the trademark SUPER ADJUSTABLE SUPERERECTA and the former patent also relates to a system sold under themark METROMAX-Q. These patents feature a wedge assembly having a taperedface mountable on the support post, a collar, secured to the member tobe supported, for example shelves, and a locking mechanism rotatablysupported by the collar. The locking mechanism has a first position forpress-fitting the wedge assembly against the support post, and a secondposition for allowing the collar to slide over the support post. Thewedge member has beads on an inner surface for mating with groovesprovided at least partially around the periphery of the support post.When the locking mechanism is in the first position, the beads of thewedge and the grooves mate to provide a secure fit.

FIG. 1 illustrates one corner of a shelving system utilizing the supportassembly in accordance with the METROMAX-Q system. In this figure, awire shelf frame 10 is positioned on an elongated support post 12 by acorner support assembly 14.

Generally speaking, the corner support assembly 14 is comprised of acollar 16 and a locking mechanism, or flipper, 18 rotatably mounted tothe collar. In this view, the flipper is shown in its unlocked position.The corner support assembly is secured between an end outer rail 24 anda side outer rail 24′ which form part of the shelf frame 10. A taperedwedge member 20 is positioned on the post where the shelf frame is to besecured. With the flipper in the closed position, the wedge member iscompressed against the support post 12, and the corner support assembly14 surrounds the support post and wedge member like a sleeve and isseated thereon to support the shelf frame with a wedging force. Inaddition, as the shelf is loaded, the flipper and shelf will movedownwardly relative to the wedge thereby to increase the force withwhich the wedge member engages the post.

As shown in FIG. 1, the wire shelf frame 10 is part of a modular shelfthat is formed by securing the outer rails 24 and 24′ to the cornersupport assemblies 14 by conventional means such as welding. In arectangular shelf configuration, for example, two end outer rails 24 andtwo side outer rails 24′ will be secured between four corner supportassemblies to comprise the wire shelf frame. Each outer rail includes atop rail 26, a bottom rail 28 and a snake-like rail 30 secured betweenthe top and bottom rails for stability. One or more transverse rails(unshown) can be secured between parallel outer rails for additionalsupport and to increase the load-bearing capacity of the shelf.

FIG. 2 is an isolated view of the collar 16 as used in an exemplarydisclosed embodiment of the METROMAX-Q system. The collar 16 includes acylindrical shaft 34, preferably non-rotatable, secured between twolateral sides 36 for rotatably supporting the flipper 18. A rear sectionof the collar 16 joining, or connecting, the two lateral sides iscontoured to fit the outward-facing shape of the post 12. The post has agenerally triangular cross-section. The rear side is thus shaped to havea straight portion 35 angled from each lateral side and joined by arounded apex 37.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary locking mechanism, or flipper 18 as usedin the METROMAX-Q system. The flipper, which is preferably integrallyformed, has an upper end 41 and lower end 43. Further, the top end has aflat portion 47 and a rounded portion 49, with the rounded portiondefining part of an open cylindrical cavity 40 for receiving andcontaining the shaft 34 of the collar 16. The lower end includes a flatmanipulating portion 42 that can be grasped by the user. A rear face 44of the flipper, which extends at an angle from the flat portion 47 andcannot be seen in FIG. 3, is shaped to complement the shape of the wedgemember 20, which in this embodiment is substantially flat. The flipperis mounted on the collar to rotate about a longitudinal axis of theshaft. The preferred material for the flipper is a rigid molded plasticsuch as, for example, reinforced nylon.

FIG. 4A shows an example of a wedge member 20 used in the METROMAX-Qsystem. The wedge member 20 is designed to clip onto an interior face ofthe support post 12. The wedge member includes a front portion 45flanked by two contoured lips 47 for clipping, or snap-fitting, thewedge member onto the support post. In addition, detent means such asinternal beads, or ribs, 46 are provided on the internal surface of thewedge member and are spaced at intervals corresponding to the spacing ofgrooves on the support post.

The configuration of the internal beads is designed to mate with theconfiguration of the grooves in the support post. The internal beadsprovide vertical support when they are seated in the grooves of asupport post. To further secure the wedge member on the support posts,additional vertical support is provided by a wedge action provided bythe flipper in the locked position. The wedge member 20 may be clippedon to the support posts at any incremental height, and further may betranslated up and down to any other incremental height.

In the example from the METROMAX-Q system illustrated in FIG. 4A, acut-out 48 can be provided in the front portion 45 to view optionalheight increment numbers on the support post for vertically aligning thewedge member with wedge members on other support posts.

The outer surface of the front portion is substantially flat tocorrespond to the substantially flat rear face 44 of the flipper.Although not readily recognizable in FIG. 4A, the front portion is alsoslightly tapered from its upper end to its lower end, such that thelower end is wider and extends toward an interior of the shelvingsystem.

With the tapered shape of the wedge member, an inwardly directed forceis created by the weight of the shelf assembly to provide a wedgingaction between the corner support assembly and the wedge member, actingas in inclined plane.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the support post 12 has a generally rightequilateral triangular cross-section, which can also be described as atriangular cross-section. A right-angled apex 50 and two flat exteriorsides 52 face the exterior of the shelving system, and interior angledapexes 54 and an interior side 56 of the support post face the interiorof the shelving assembly. The triangular geometry of the support postprovides multi-directional stability, particularly in the directions ofcritical stress forces, i.e., in a direction parallel to the edges ofthe shelf.

The support post includes a plurality of horizontal grooves 58 that arepreferably, but not necessarily, evenly spaced in the longitudinaldirection of the post. The grooves receive the internal beads 46 of thesleeve.

Although unshown in the drawings, the top end of each support post 12can be fitted with an end cap and the bottom end with a caster, avertically-adjustable foot, an end cap, etc. As one example, the bottomend of the support post can be fitted with a stem receptacle forthreadably receiving a leveling leg.

The METROMAX-Q system has been very successful and has provided userswith an extremely easy to use yet sturdy adjustable mechanism for membersupport, in particular supports for heavy duty shelving requirements.This system can be improved so as to be even more convenient if a systemcan be devised in which the securing wedging action can be providedwithout using a separate wedge that may come loose from the othercomponents of the corner support assembly. Thus, it would beadvantageous if a support mechanism can be provided that has theadvantages of the METROMAX-Q system mentioned above, while at the sametime having the wedge, or structure that performs the wedging functionof the wedge's inclined plane structure, inseparable or less readilyseparable from the other components of the corner support assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of explanation, the present invention will be describedwith reference to a shelving system. However, in its broadest aspect,this invention relates to a support assembly capable of use in manytypes of support systems. The support system can support shelves, asdescribed below in greater detail, and other elements for carrying awide variety of items. For example, the support system can supportcombinations of shelving, drawers, work surfaces, racks, bins, hooks andthe like.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide a shelf support assembly for use in an easy to assemble and easyto adjust heavy-duty shelving system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shelf supportassembly that can be quickly and easily adjusted.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shelf supportassembly that is statically secured to the shelving system to providesubstantial load-bearing capacity.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a shelf supportassembly that is readily adaptable to various types of support posts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support assembly thatensures a secure fit to a support post without the need for wedges thatmy come loose during adjustment, assembly or disassembly.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invitation, there isprovided a support system, comprising a support post having a taperedface; and support means for adjustably supporting a member to thesupport post. The support means includes a locking mechanism movablebetween a first position for press-fitting the support means against thetapered face of the support post and a second position for releasing thepress-fitting. The locking mechanism has a surface that abuts thetapered face of the support post when in the first position thereby toeffect the press-fitting and that is released from the tapered face ofthe support post when moved to the second position to release thepress-fitting.

Also in accordance with the above aspect, there is provided a system forsupporting a member. The system comprises a support post having alongitudinal axis and a tapered face; and support means adapted to besecured to the member, for supporting the member to the support post.The support means forms a sleeve around the support post and seated onthe support post on the tapered face thereof. The support means includesa locking mechanism that is actuatable between a first positioncompressing the tapered face and supporting the member and a secondposition not compressing the tapered face.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a support systemcomprises a support post, a wedge assembly having a tapered portion,mounted on the support post, and support means for adjustably supportinga member to the support post. Also provided is securing means forsecuring the wedge member and the support means to one another.

The support means can include a locking mechanism having a firstposition for press-fitting against the wedge assembly and a secondposition for releasing the press-fitting.

In accordance with the second aspect, there is provided a supportsystem, comprising a support post; a wedge member, having a taperedportion, located on the support post, the wedge member having a securingportion; and support means for adjustably supporting a supported memberto the support post. The support means includes a locking mechanismmovable between a first position for press-fitting the wedge memberagainst the support post and a second position for releasing thepress-fitting. The locking mechanism has a surface that abuts the wedgemember when in the first position thereby to effect the press-fittingand that is released from the wedge member when moved to the secondposition to release the press-fitting. The locking mechanism cooperateswith the securing portion of the wedge member so that the wedge memberand the support means remain engaged with one another even when thesupport means is in the second position.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, a system forsupporting a member comprises a support post, a collar secured to themember to be supported, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanismhas a first surface for abutting the support post in a first, unlockedposition, and a second surface for, in a second unlocked position,press-fitting against the support post.

The locking mechanism may be mounted to the collar, and may beactuatable between a first position compressing the support post and asecond position not compressing the support post.

In accordance with the third aspect, there is provided a support system,comprising a support post; and support means for adjustably supporting amember to the support post. The support means includes a lockingmechanism, which includes an integrally formed wedging member. Thelocking mechanism is movable between a first position for press-fittingthe wedging member against the support post and a second position forreleasing the press-fitting. The wedging member has a surface that abutsthe support post when in the first position thereby to effect thepress-fitting and that is released from the support post when moved tothe second position to release the press-fitting.

These and other objects, aspects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a shelving system in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the prior art METROMAX-Q system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a collar in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the prior art METROMAX-Q system;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a flipper in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the prior art METROMAX-Q system;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a wedge member in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the prior art METROMAX-Q system;

FIG. 4B is a top plan view of the support post shown in FIG. 1 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the METROMAX-Q system;

FIG. 5A a partial perspective view of the support post/support assemblyin accordance with a first embodiment of a first aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5B is perspective view of the collar shown in FIG. 5A in accordancewith the first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the flipper shown in FIG. 5A inaccordance with the first embodiment of the first aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the support post in accordance with thefirst embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is top plan view of the support post shown in FIG. 6A inaccordance with the first embodiment of the first aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7A is a partial side elevational view, partially in cross-section,of the support post and corner assembly in accordance with the firstembodiment of the first aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a partial top plan view of the support post and cornerassembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the first aspect ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are a perspective view and top plan view, respectively,of a support post in accordance with a second embodiment of the firstaspect of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a support post/support assemblyin accordance with the second embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a support post/support assemblyin accordance with the second embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention with a sleeve;

FIGS. 11A-1 and 11A-2 are perspective and plan views, respectively, of asupport post according to the first aspect of the present invention, asmanufactured by the hydro-forming process;

FIGS. 11B-1 and 11B-2 are perspective and plan views, respectively, of asupport post according to the first aspect of the present invention, asmanufactured by the pultrusion process;

FIGS. 11C-1 and 11C-2 are perspective and plan views, respectively, of asupport post according to the first aspect of the present inventionhaving a D-shaped cross-section, as manufactured by the hydro-formingprocess;

FIGS. 11D-1 and 11D-2 are perspective and plan views, respectively, of asupport post according to a variation of the first aspect of the presentinvention, as manufactured by the rolled-form process;

FIGS. 11E-1 and 11E-2 are perspective and plan views, respectively, of asupport post according to the variation of the first aspect of thepresent invention shown in FIGS. 11D-1 and 11D-2, as manufactured by thehydro-forming process;

FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C are perspective views of a collar, wedge memberand flipper, respectively, in accordance with a first embodiment of asecond aspect of the present invention;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are partial perspective views of the support assemblyin accordance with the first embodiment of the second aspect of thepresent invention in the unlocked and locked positions, respectively;

FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C are perspective views of a collar, wedge member,and flipper, respectively, in accordance with a second embodiment of thesecond aspect of the present invention;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are partial perspective views of the support assemblyin accordance with the second embodiment of the second aspect of thepresent invention, in the unlocked and locked positions, respectively;

FIGS. 16A, 16B and 16C are perspective views of a collar, wedge member,and flipper, respectively, in accordance with a third embodiment of thesecond aspect of the present invention;

FIGS. 17A and 17B are partial perspective views of the support assemblyin accordance with the third embodiment of the second aspect of thepresent invention, in the unlocked and locked positions, respectively;

FIGS. 18A, 18B and 18C are perspective views of a collar, wedge memberand flipper in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the second aspectof the present invention;

FIGS. 19A and 19B are partial perspective views of the support assemblyin accordance with the fourth embodiment of the second aspect of thepresent invention, in the unlocked and locked positions, respectively;

FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C are perspective views of a collar, wedge member,and flipper, respectively, in accordance with a fifth embodiment of thesecond aspect of the present invention;

FIGS. 21A and 21B are partial perspective views of the support assemblyin accordance with the fifth embodiment of the second aspect of thesecond aspect of the present invention, in the unlocked and lockedpositions, respectively;

FIGS. 22A and 22B are perspective views of a collar and flipper,respectively, in accordance with a first embodiment of a third aspect ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 23A and 23B are partial perspective views of a support assembly inaccordance with the first embodiment of the third aspect of the presentinvention, in the unlocked and locked positions, respectively;

FIGS. 24A, 24B and 24C are perspective views of a collar, flipper andsupport pin, respectively, in accordance with the second embodiment ofthe third aspect of the present invention;

FIGS. 25A and 25B are partial perspective views of a support assembly inaccordance with the second embodiment of the third aspect of the presentinvention, in the unlocked and locked positions, respectively;

FIGS. 26A and 26B are perspective views of a collar and flipper,respectively, in accordance with a third embodiment of the third aspectof the present invention; and

FIGS. 27A and 27B are partial perspective views of a support assembly inaccordance with the third embodiment of the third aspect of the presentinvention, in the unlocked and locked positions, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The support assembly of the present invention can ideally beincorporated into a knock-down shelving system that includes a pluralityof support posts for supporting one or more shelves at corner supportassemblies thereof. The shelving system may include a structure toprovide an inclined plane surface for use, in combination with a cornersupport structure, to provide a wedging force to support the shelves inrelation to the support posts. The inclined plane structure can beprovided by means of inclined plane structures formed integrally withthe support post and to which the corner assembly engages to effect apress fit, a snap-on wedge member with detent means for adjustablylocating the wedge member at predetermined heights on the support postand having securing means for trapping the wedge member within a cornersupport assembly, or an inclined plane structure integrally formedwithin the structure of the corner support assembly itself.

In accordance with the present invention, each corner support assemblyfeatures a collar, which is structurally associated with the shelf, anda locking mechanism, or flipper, rotatably supported by the collar andactuatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In theunlocked position, the corner support assemblies allow the shelf totranslate relative to the support posts.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, when theflippers are locked, the collars are secured to each respective post, bya wedging action, against inclined plane portions of the support post.In accordance with the first aspect, the post is formed with a sawtoothor other appropriate profile to provide the inclined plane, or tapered,portions of the post. In each corner support assembly, the flipper andcollar, in the locked position, are secured tightly against an inclinedportion of the post, obviating the need for a discrete wedge member.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, each cornersupport assembly includes a collar, flipper and wedge member. When theflippers are locked, the collars are secured against the wedge membersand the support posts by a wedging action, the wedge member and collarof each corner support assembly being structured such that the wedgemember is captured within the corner support assembly.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, the flipper,or flipper in combination with the collar, are structured so as toperform the inclined plane function and provide a securing wedgingaction against the post, in the locked position.

Operation of the flipper in any of the above aspects thus permits easyheight adjustment of the shelf without the need for tools, and alsowithout compromising the load bearing capacity of the shelving system.In particular, such operation may be achieved without confronting theproblem of loose wedge members.

Throughout, like reference numerals will be used to describe likestructures. Moreover, the corner collars generally will be illustratedwithout showing the members to be supported, e.g., shelving braces, thatwill typically extend therefrom. In a shelving system, for example, suchstructure will be similar to the top rail 26, bottom rail 28 andsnake-like rail 30 shown in prior art FIG. 1. When shown in otherdrawings, these reference numerals will be maintained.

For purposes of explanation only, and to illustrate in part how thepresent invention may be adapted easily to conventional shelvingtechnology, the support assembly of the present invention will bedescribed below in use with a knock-down shelving system. The shelvingsystem generally includes a plurality of support posts, e.g., four,arranged to support one or more shelves at corner assemblies thereof. Ofcourse, the support assembly of the present invention can be used invarious types of support systems, e.g., cabinets, closets, etc., with ashelving system being only one example thereof. Moreover, the supportassembly can be used in conjunction with many shelf embodiments and isnot limited to use with a corner of a shelf or, for that matter, acorner of any supported member. In the examples given below, the supportassembly is structurally associated with a wire shelf frame designed tobe fitted with plastic shelf mats. However, the support assembly of thepresent invention will be readily adaptable to many other shelfembodiments including, but not limited to, a wire shelf or a solid sheetmetal shelf.

The present invention generally relates to an improved support systemthat builds on the advantageous structures introduced by the METROMAX-Qsystem described above in relation to FIGS. 1–4. As discussed above, inthe METROMAX-Q system, a wedge member is used that provides an inclinedplane surface to provide a tight rigid joint between the post and thesupport assembly, including the collar and the flipper. However, thewedge member may become separated during adjustment,assembly/disassembly or shipping. In accordance with the presentinvention, to avoid having loose wedges, the inclined plane surface isadvantageously integrally formed in one of the post, flipper or collar,or it is attached thereto, i.e., captured, so that it does not becomeloose. In the first aspect, illustrated in FIGS. 5–11, the support postitself is formed so as to have integrally formed tapered portionsextending therefrom, which themselves provide the function of theinclined plane, that is, the function performed by the wedge member inthe METROMAX-Q system. In accordance with the second aspect, illustratedin FIGS. 12–21, a wedge member is used to provide the function of theinclined plane, but unlike in the METROMAX-Q system, the wedge member isformed so as to be captured, in various ways described and illustratedin detail below, within the structure of the collar and/or flipper. Inaccordance with the third aspect, illustrated in FIGS. 22–27, theflipper and/or collar is provided with structure that performs theinclined plane function of the wedge, obviating the need for a distinctwedge member.

In the various embodiments of the present invention described below, thelocking mechanism, or flipper, will be shown variously as having arounded lower portion or an elongated lower portion forming a handle.Such depictions are for illustrative purposes only. As will beunderstood, the lower portion of the locking mechanism, or flipper, maybe in any embodiment rounded, flat, or elongated, without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a support means or assembly in accordance with afirst embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention. Inaccordance with this embodiment, support post 112, which may be formedin a number of cross-sectional shapes, materials and manufacturingmethods, to be discussed below in detail, is shaped so as to have asawtooth profile, with tapered protruding faces 120. The tapered faces120 are tapered outwardly from the post from top to bottom to formplural inclined planes. An exemplary vertical support post 112 inaccordance with the first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Asbest seen in FIG. 6B, in this embodiment the support post 112 has agenerally triangular cross-section. Of course, due to the taperedprofile of the support post, cross-sections would differ in sizedepending upon where on the taper the cross-section is taken. For alltapered post cross-sections, the sections will be assumed to be taken atthe largest portion of the tapered portions, although the figures arenot to scale. As can be seen in FIG. 6B, straight portions 222 anglefrom lateral sides 224, the straight portions 222 joined by a roundedapex 225, all of which face the exterior of the shelving system. A frontface 120, at right angles in cross-section to each lateral side 224,faces the interior of the shelving.

Although unshown in the drawings, the top end of each support post 112can be fitted with an end cap and the bottom end with a caster, avertically-adjustable foot, an end cap, etc. As one example, the bottomend of the support post can be fitted with a stem receptacle forthreadably receiving a leveling leg. This applies to all embodiments andall aspects of the present invention.

As can be clearly seen in FIG. 6A the support post 112 has a sawtoothprofile and includes, in a preferred embodiment, a plurality of inclinedplane tapered faces 120. The tapered faces 120 preferably, but notnecessarily, are spaced evenly vertically along the post. Each taperedface 120 comprises an outwardly tapered longer face 128, and an inwardlytapered shorter face 129.

In this regard, as is best shown in FIG. 5A, in this embodiment thecollar 116 and locking mechanism, or flipper 118 together form a sleeveor corner support assembly 114 that fits over the support post. Theflipper 118 preferably is of a construction substantially similar to theflipper of the METROMAX-Q system described in detail above. As in thatsystem, the flipper 118 is mounted on the collar 116 to rotate about alongitudinal axis of the shaft 134. The flipper is movable between anunlocked position and a locked position. When the flipper is in thelocked, or first, position, the rear face of the flipper directs aninward radial compression force against the inclined plane tapered face120 to effect a press-fitting of the support assembly 114 against thetapered face 120. In addition, the tapered shape of the tapered face 120creates an inwardly directed force by the weight of the shelf assemblyto provide a wedging action between the corner support assembly and thetapered face 120. Movement of the flipper to the unlocked, or second,position releases the press-fitting.

As was discussed above with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, and as shownin detail in FIG. 5B, the collar 116 includes a securing meanscomprising a cylindrical shaft 134, preferably non-rotatable, securedbetween two lateral sides 136 for rotatably supporting the flipper 118.In accordance with all aspects the present invention, a rear section ofthe collar 116 joining, or connecting, the two lateral sides iscontoured to fit the outward-facing shape of the post 112. In thepresent embodiment, the post has a generally triangular cross-section asdiscussed in detail above. The rear side of the collar 116 is thusshaped to have a straight portion 135 angled from each lateral side andjoined by a rounded apex 137. As will be developed below, however, itwill be appreciated that the rear side of the collar can easily beshaped to have any configuration, such as D-shaped, to match the shapeof the support post.

FIG. 5C illustrates the flipper 118 in accordance with a firstembodiment of the subject invention. The flipper, which is preferablyintegrally formed, has an upper end 141 and lower end 143. Further, thetop end has a flat portion 147 and a rounded portion 149, with therounded portion defining part of an open cylindrical cavity 140 forreceiving and containing the shaft 134 of the collar 116. In addition, apreferably flat transition portion 148 exists between the flat androunded portions 147 and 149, respectively. The primary difference ofthe flipper in this embodiment from that shown in FIG. 3 is that itsbottom end 143 is rounded instead of flat. That is, the lower end 143includes a preferably rounded manipulating portion 142 for grasping bythe user. A rear face 144 of the flipper, which extends at an angle fromthe flat portion 147, and which cannot be seen in FIG. 5C, is shaped tocomplement the shape of the tapered portion 120, which in thisembodiment is substantially flat in the horizontal direction. Theflipper is mounted on the collar to rotate about a longitudinal axis ofthe shaft. The preferred material for the flipper is a rigid moldedplastic such as, for example, reinforced nylon.

By virtue of the taper of inclined plane portions of the posts, theweight of the shelf assembly creates an inwardly directed force toprovide a wedging action between the corner support assembly and thesupport post.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate how the collar support assembly 114 issecured to the support post 112. For the sake of simplicity, the outerrails 24 and 24′ have been deleted in FIG. 7A but are shown to besecured to the lateral sides 136 of the collar 116 in FIG. 7B. Inoperation, the corner support assembly 114 is positioned over a selectedtapered face 120 of the support post. In this regard, the collar 116 andflipper 118 together form a sleeve that fits over the tapered face ofthe support post. When the flipper 118 is in the closed, or locked,position as shown in solid lines in FIG. 7A, the rear face 144 of theflipper directs an inward radial compression force against the taperedface 120. In addition, the tapered shape of the tapered face 120 createsa wedge action between that face and the flipper for supporting theshelf assembly. It will be appreciated that the greater the weight onthe shelf, the greater the downward force and thus the greater thewedging force.

FIG. 7A will also be referred to in discussing two salient features ofthe present invention. The first feature relates to the ability of theflipper to easily and quickly release the wedging action between thecorner support assembly and the tapered face 120. This frees the shelfto slide up or down the support posts. To release the wedging action,the closed flipper 118 is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction ofarrow a to its unlocked position as represented by the dashed lines. Bypivoting the flipper about the shaft 134 in this manner, the compressionforce between the flipper 118 and the tapered face is released.Actuation of the flipper by the user thus allows for quick and reliablereleasing of the wedging action.

Another salient feature of the invention is directed to the ability ofthe flipper to allow the corner support assembly to slide over thesupport post having the tapered faces 120. At rest, the flipper 118normally hangs, by gravity, in substantially the same position shown insolid lines in FIG. 7A, i.e., with the lower end 143 directeddownwardly. Now, with the flipper in this position and the cornersupport assembly disposed below a tapered face of the support post, whenthe shelf is raised toward the tapered face, the lower (and wider) endof the tapered face will initially contact the flat portion 147 of theupper end of the flipper, causing it to rotate counter-clockwise aboutthe shaft 134 in the direction of arrow a. This action raises theflipper toward its unlocked position, whereby the rounded portion 149 ofthe upper end is substantially opposite the tapered face 120. As theflipper is biased toward its unlocked position, the contour of the upperend allows the flipper to pass completely over the tapered face.

The above-described embodiment in which the inclined plane in formedintegrally with the support post is not limited to the specific exampleshown in the figures. Support posts of varying configurations may beused, with corresponding changes in the shape of the collar and/orflipper.

For example, FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a second embodiment of the firstaspect of the present invention in which a support post 112 a has aD-shaped cross-section. As best seen in FIG. 8B, in this embodiment, thesupport post 112 a has a generally D-shaped cross-section. Arcuatecross-sectional portion 226 extends rearwardly from lateral sides 224,all of which face the exterior of the shelving system. A front face 120,at right angles to each lateral side 224, faces the interior of theshelving.

A corner support assembly suitable for use with the support post havingthe D-shaped cross-section is illustrated in FIG. 9. As in the case ofthe triangular cross-section support post, the collar 116 includes acylindrical shaft 134, preferably non-rotatable, secured between twolateral sides 136 for rotatably supporting the flipper 118 a. Inaccordance with the present invention, a rear section of the collar 116joining, or connecting, the two lateral sides is contoured to fit theoutward-facing shape of the post 112 a. In this embodiment, the post hasa generally D-shaped cross-section. The rear side of the collar 116 isthus shaped to have a rounded apex angled from each lateral side so thatthe collar secures tightly against the arcuate outer portion of the post112 a.

The flipper 118 a functions in exactly the same way as flipper 118discussed above except that flipper 118 a is shown having a extendedhandle 320, which allows a user to grasp the flipper more easily, andrequires less pull force to open. In all other primary aspects, theflipper 118 a has the same shapes and characteristics as disclosed inthe previous embodiment and is rotatably secured about the cylindricalshaft 134 on the collar 116. Thus, it will be appreciated that theflipper having the extended handle may be used in the corner supportassembly discussed previously, and the flipper discussed in thosefigures may be used in the corner assembly for the support post havingthe D-shaped cross-section, without departing from the inventiveconcept.

On some shelving systems, the support posts and/or collars may be madeof chrome-plated steel. Such chrome plating tends to have a relativelyhigh coefficient of friction such that when the flipper is released fromthe locked position, it may be difficult to move the shelf to a newdesired position. Therefore, the corner support assembly of the presentinvention may be provided with an optional fitting sleeve 321, that fitson the outer portion of the post between the corner support assembly andthe post. FIG. 10 shows the corner assembly of FIG. 9 with a sleeve 321placed between the collar and the support post. The fitting sleeve 321has a curved portion 331, an upper lip 332 and a lower lip 332 a. Theupper land lower lips secure the sleeve in the collar, preventing itfrom translating vertically with respect to the collar. The sleeve ispreferably made of a resin material having a relatively low coefficientof friction that may more easily be slid on the post when the flipper isreleased to ease adjustment of the location of the shelf. In all otherways, the corner assembly of FIG. 10 is identical to that shown in FIG.9. It will be appreciated that a fitting sleeve can be used to makeadjustment of shelf location easier in any embodiment of any aspect ofthe present invention, and will function exactly as described above.

Support posts in accordance with the first aspect can be of a variety ofcross-sections and can be manufactured by a variety of differentmethods. The posts are preferably made of steel, other appropriatemetal, or composites such as those formed by the pultrusion process forsupport posts. In the illustrated embodiments above, the drawings areconsistent with a manufacturing method using the well-known roll-formtechnique, in which posts are formed by rolling the metal into agenerally tube-shaped configuration and welding the edges together.

The support posts in accordance with the first aspect of the presentinvention also may be manufactured by other methods. FIG. 11A-1illustrates a support post in accordance with the first embodiment ofthe first aspect of the present invention made by the well-knownhydro-forminging manufacturing method is similar to blow molding inwhich the material from which the post is formed is expanded outwardlyunder pressure into the contour of a mold cavity in the shape of thefinal post. In all other respects, such a support post would work asdescribed above. FIG. 11A-2 is a top plan view of such a hydro-formedsupport post.

As in the other embodiments of the first aspect, a fitting sleeve may beused to reduce friction between the collar and post when the location ofa shelf is to be adjusted. The sleeve for any of these embodiments willbe substantially the same as the fitting sleeve shown in FIG. 10.

In addition to the above two techniques for making the support post inaccordance with the first aspect of the present invention, the post alsocan be formed by use of a pultrusion process. In the pultrusion process,a set of fibers are pulled through a resin bath and then through aheated die giving the profile its shape. After the die the profile iscooled by air or water and cut into desired lengths. An exemplarysupport post in accordance with the first aspect and manufactured usingthe pultrusion die process is shown in FIG. 11B-1. FIG. 11B-2 is a planview of such a support post. The post is pultruded and then the taperedportions are cut into the post. In all other respects, this post wouldfunction the same as the other posts discussed above with reference tothe first aspect of the present invention. Also, as in the otherembodiments, a sleeve may be used to reduce friction between the collarand post to facilitate shelf adjustment.

FIGS. 11C-1 and 11C-2 are perspective and plan views, respectively, of asupport post according to the first aspect of the present inventionformed by the hydro-forming process. In all significant respects, such apost operates exactly like the post shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. As in theother embodiments, a sleeve may be used to reduce the friction betweenthe collar and post to aid shelf adjustment.

A variation of the support post in accordance with the first aspect ofthe present invention is shown in FIGS. 11D-1 and 11D-2. As shown inFIG. 11D-1, in this variation, instead of the tapered faces being flatin the horizontal direction, as in the previously described embodiments,each tapered face has a lower tapered portion 1249, and a central,vertically-oriented raised upper tapered portion 1250. By virtue of theshape of the post, a locking mechanism having a flat rear face, such asthose described above, would only abut and compress the surface of theraised upper portion 1250. Moreover, it is preferred to utilize aflipper having an indent to correspond to the raised upper taperedportion to insure contact across the width of the post. As seen in FIG.11D-2, it is preferable in this variation to use a collar sleeve 1260 toreduce friction with respect to the collar (not shown) during shelfadjustment. This variation has an advantage in that is can be used withother shelf support systems, such as the SUPER ERECTA SHELF with only aretrofit sleeve.

FIGS. 11E-1 AND 11E-2 are perspective and plan views respectively of thevariation illustrated in FIGS. 11D-1 AND 11D-2, respectively, exceptformed by the hydro-forming manufacturing process. In all otherrespects, the post would function the same way as the variationillustrated in FIGS. 11D-1 AND 11D-2.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, theinclined plane is provided by means of a distinct wedge member that issecured by a collar and flipper that provides, in the locked position, acompression force to force the wedge member against an interior face ofthe support post. In the second aspect, and in each disclosed embodimentthereof, the flipper is mounted on the collar to rotate about alongitudinal axis of a shaft formed in the collar. The flipper ismovable between an unlocked position and a locked position. When theflipper is in the locked position, the rear face of the flipper directsan inward radial compression force against the wedge member. The wedgemember is tapered to be thicker at the lower end thereof. This taperedshape creates an inwardly directed force by the weight of the shelfassembly to provide a wedging action between the corner support assemblyand the wedge member.

The wedge member in accordance with the second aspect and theembodiments thereof advantageously includes structure forming a securingportion that ensures that the wedge member is trapped within the cornersupport assembly and will not slip out of the corner support assemblywhen the corner support assembly is in an unlocked position, for exampleduring adjustment, assembly or disassembly of shelves using the cornersupport assembly.

FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C illustrate a collar, wedge member, and flipper inaccordance with a first embodiment of the second aspect of the presentinvention. FIG. 12B illustrates a wedge member 200 designed to clip ontoan interior face of the support post 128. The wedge member includes afront portion 145 flanked by two contoured lips 147. In addition,although not visible in this view, detent means such as internal beads,or ribs, are provided on the internal surface of the wedge member andare spaced at intervals corresponding to spacing of grooves on thesupport post 128 just as in the wedge member of the METROMAX-Q system,shown in FIG. 4. In the first embodiment of the second aspect, thesupport post 128 is of the same or substantially similar structure tothat of the METROMAX-Q system, having a substantially flat inner surfacewith horizontal grooves spaced apart vertically, as is visible inFIG. 1. FIG. 12C illustrates a flipper in accordance with thisembodiment. As in the first aspect, the flipper has an upper end and alower end. The upper end has a flat portion and rounded portion, withthe rounded portion defining part of an open cylindrical cavity forreceiving the shaft 134 of the collar.

In the first embodiment in accordance with the second aspect, internalbeads, not visible in the figure, are provided on the wedge member 200to mate with the configuration of the grooves in the support post. As inthe METROMAX-Q system, the number, size and shape of the internal beadsmay be varied for a number of reasons including, for example, the sizeof the wedge member, the size of the spacing of the grooves in thesupport posts, and the shelving application. The internal beads providevertical support when they are seated in the grooves of a support post.To further secure the wedge member on the support posts, additionalvertical support is provided by a wedge action as discussed below. Itwill therefore be appreciated that the wedge member 200 may be locatedon to the support posts at any incremented height, and further may betranslated up and down to any other incremented height.

An advantageous feature of the wedge member 200 in accordance with thisembodiment is the presence of two molded in studs 148, one at eachlateral side of the wedge. Alternatively, instead of being molded in,the studs can be made of a material different from the wedge member,such as metal, installed securely in the wedge member in any knownmanner. As shown in FIG. 12A, the collar in the first embodiment of thesecond aspect is substantially the same as in the first aspect of thepresent invention, except for the presence of collar channels 320 oneach lateral face of the collar. When the corner support is assembled,the studs 148 are positioned within the collar channels 320 allowing thewedge member 200 to move vertically with respect to the collar, butconstrained by the presence of the studs within the channels.

As shown in FIG. 13A, in the unlocked position, the flipper is raisedand the studs are positioned securely within the channels 320. When theflipper is lowered to the locked position applying a radial compressionforce to the wedge member, as shown in FIG. 13B, the collar may movevertically somewhat relative to the wedge member and/or post during thelocking process, but such relative movement is constrained by thecapture of the studs in the channels. The capture of the wedge member asdescribed above advantageously prevents the wedge, member from comingloose of the overall corner support assembly.

FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C illustrate a collar, wedge member and flipper,respectively, for a corner support system in accordance with a secondembodiment of the second aspect of the present invention. In thisembodiment, as best shown in FIG. 14B, a wedge member 400 is providedthat has a molded in spring 423 and guide slots 430. The wedge member400 has a front portion 420 flanked by two contoured lips 422. The topof the wedge member includes an overhanging support lip 424.

As can be seen in FIG. 14A, in this embodiment, the collar has shaft 134that functions as in the other embodiments to allow the open cylindricalcavity of the flipper 118 to rotate thereabout. In the presentembodiment, the collar has an additional wedge support pin 134 a. Uponassembly of the corner support assembly in accordance with thisembodiment, the overhanging support lip 424 of the wedge member 400 ispositioned so as to overhang the wedge support pin 134 a. The lip 424also has an inwardly projecting detent 425 for capturing the pin 134A.

Guide slots 430 are provided on the wedge member 400 to mate with guideportions 480 on the flipper 118, best shown in FIG. 14C. As can be seenin FIGS. 15A and 15B, when the flipper is moved from the unlocked to thelocked position, the flipper guide portions 480 move radially within toengage the corresponding guide slots 430, and the front face of theflipper exerts a radial compression force against the molded in spring423 and the wedge member in general. As in the other embodiments, thewedge member is tapered to provide an inwardly directed wedging forcewhen the weight of the shelves is applied thereto.

FIGS. 16A, 16B and 16C illustrate a collar, wedge member, and flipper inaccordance with a third embodiment of the second aspect. As can be seenin FIG. 16B, the wedge member 500 is provided with molded in studs 524at the top and bottom of lateral sides thereof. Alternatively, the studsmay comprise other materials, such as metal studs, screws or rivets,embedded securely within the lateral sides of the wedge member. Thewedge member in accordance with this embodiment is designed to work withthe standard METROMAX-Q collar and flipper, shown in FIGS. 16A and 16C,respectively, which will not be described further. However, the studs524 provide the wedge member 500 in accordance with the presentembodiment an advantage over the prior art wedge member in that theyallow the wedge member to follow the collar during, for example, heightadjustment of shelves, because the wedge is trapped within the supportassembly by the positioning of studs above and below the collar. Thispositioning prevents the wedge from slipping out of the corner supportassembly during vertical adjustment of the support assembly. As can beseen in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the studs in use are positioned so as to restabove and below the collar to prevent the wedge from slipping above orbelow the level of the collar, especially in the unlocked position inwhich the wedge member may become loose. In all other ways, the wedgemember, collar and flipper in this modification operate substantially asin the METROMAX-Q system discussed above.

FIGS. 18A, 18B and 18C illustrate a collar, wedge member, and flipper inaccordance with a fourth embodiment of the second aspect. As shown inFIG. 18B, the wedge member 600 in accordance with this embodiment isgenerally of the same shape as the wedge member shown in FIG. 16B,except that it has molded in leaf springs 624 on lateral sides thereof,and a camming structure 630 protruding from the front face of the wedgemember. As shown in FIG. 18A, the collar in this embodiment is providedwith spring receiving slots 625 having a width narrower than that of thecorresponding leaf springs 624 on the wedge member.

As shown in FIG. 18C, the flipper is substantially the same as inprevious embodiments except for the presence of two molded in fingers632 at the center of a top edge of the flipper. The fingers 632 areconfigured to face one another with a gap therebetween sufficientlylarge to be accommodated by and move reciprocatingly within innerchannel portions 631 of the camming structure 630, upon assembly of thecorner support. As shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, in the assembled cornersupport in accordance with this embodiment, the lateral leaf springs 624are seated in the spring receiving slots 625 and being seated thereinfunction generally to keep the wedge connected to the collar. The leafsprings 624 are under tension only when the flipper is in the unlockedposition. As seen in FIG. 19A, in such position, the leaf springs exerta force against the inner edge of each spring receiving slot 625 inreaction to a force exerted by the flipper tending to pull the wedgemember 600 away from the post. The flipper pulls the wedge member 600away from the face of the support post when the flipper is in theunlocked position because the movement of the flipper to the unlockedposition causes the fingers 632 to move downwardly, toward the shallowerlower ends of the inner channel portions 631 of the camming structure630. Because the lower ends of the channels are shallower, the downwardmovement of the fingers in the channels creates a force that tends topry the wedge member 600 away from the support post. However, thismotion also places the leaf springs under tension, in which they exert aforce to oppose that created by the prying of the flipper.

The spring receiving slots 625 of the collar are narrower than the leafsprings 624. When the flipper is moved to the locked position, a radialcompression force is applied to the wedge member 600 that causes thefront face of the wedge member 600 to press securely against the innerface of the support post, and the leaf springs are no longer in tension.In addition to biasing the wedge towards the support post, a clickingsound is produced as the beads pass over the grooves, allowing the userto know that a bead is properly aligned with a groove.

FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C illustrate a collar, wedge member, and flipper inaccordance with a fifth embodiment of the second aspect of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 20B, a wedge member 700 has molded insprings 705 on lateral sides of the wedge member. The collar 702, shownin FIG. 20A, has embossed channels 704 on lateral sides thereof toreceive and slidably engage the springs 705 when the corner support isassembled, but is in other respects similar to the METROMAX-Q collar.The wedge member 700 also has grooves 710 adapted to acceptcorresponding molded portions 730 formed in the top of the flipper 718,as best seen in FIG. 20C. The flipper 718 has a handle and an upper end.The upper end has a flat portion 719 and a rounded portion 719 a, withthe rounded portion defining part of an open cylindrical cavity 721 forreceiving and containing the shaft 134 of the collar 702.

As can be seen in FIGS. 21A and 21B, in the assembled corner support,the flipper is mounted on the collar to rotate about a longitudinal axisof the shaft. When the flipper 718 moves from the unlocked to the lockedposition, the molded portions 720 of the flipper rotate within thegrooves 700 and the flipper exerts an inwardly-directed compressionforce to press the wedge member securely against the support post, whileat the same time placing the springs under tension. As can be seen inthe figures, moving the flipper to the locking position also may causethe wedge member to move upwardly, but the movement is constrained bythe presence of the ends of the captured springs within the channels.The presence of the ends of the springs within the channels also tendsurge the main body of the wedge member 700 away from the support postwhen the flipper is in the unlocked position, the tension of the springsbeing at least partially relieved when the compression force exerted bythe flipper is removed.

The present invention in accordance with a third aspect includes theinclined plane functionality in a system using support posts of the typeused in the METROMAX-Q system, but without the need for a distinct wedgemember. This is accomplished by forming the inclined plane structure inthe flipper or in the collar.

According to a first embodiment of the third aspect of the presentinvention, the wedge member is integrally formed into the structure ofthe flipper. FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate a collar 800 and flipper 801,respectively, in accordance with this embodiment. As best seen in FIG.22A, the collar 800 has bumps 820 formed in lateral sides thereof, butis otherwise similar to the METROMAX-Q collar described above, having acylindrical shaft 134 extending between lateral sides of the collar. Thebumps 820 function to mate with corresponding recesses, or detents, onthe flipper 801. As seen in FIG. 22B, the flipper 801 has a front face813 that conforms to the shape of the inner face of the support post.The flipper 801 also has an overhanging lip 812 having ears 840protruding therefrom. The ears have recesses 840 a molded therein. Achannel 815 is defined by the inner side of the lip 812 and an innerwedging surface 816. The inner wedging surface 816 is tapered preferablyat an angle about a four degrees from vertical.

As can be seen in FIGS. 23A and 23B, when the corner support isassembled, the shaft 134 is positioned within the channel 815 to allowthe flipper to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the shaft 134. In theunlocked position, the flipper 801 is held in the open position by thebumps 820 on the collar being seated in the recesses 840A of the flipper801. To place the corner support structure into the locked position, theflipper 801 is moved downwardly, which forces the flipper to rotatearound the shaft 134, causing the front face 813 of the flipper to beurged against the inner face of the support post by a compression force,caused by the fact that the thickness of the flipper is greater betweenthe inner wedging surface 816 and the front face 813 than between thetop of the channel 815 and the top of the flipper 801. Because of thisdifference, a radial compression force is created when the thickerportion of the flipper is wedged within the space between the shaft 134and the front face of the post, which occurs whenever the flipper ismoved to the locked position, as can be seen in FIGS. 23A and 23B.Further, due to the tapered shape of the inner wedging surface 816, inthe locked position, an inwardly directed wedging force is createdbetween the collar and the portion of the flipper having the taperedface, because of the weight of the shelf assembly. That is, the weightof the shelf assembly tends to push the collar down, causing the shaft134 to press down on the inner wedging surface 816, the downwardlydirected force being translated to an inwardly directed force by thetapered surface of the inner wedging surface 816. Thus, a portion of theflipper structure in this embodiment performs the function performed inother embodiments by the wedge member.

FIGS. 24A, 24B and 24C illustrate a collar 900, a flipper 901 and asupport pin 902, respectively, in accordance with a second embodiment ofthe third aspect. As best seen in FIG. 24A, the collar 900 has acylindrical shaft 134 and bumps 908. The collar also has channels 906that run generally vertically in the lateral sides of the collar but areangled or inclined upwardly inwardly toward the back of the collar. Asbest seen in FIG. 24C, the flipper 901 in accordance with this aspecthas an extended handle 910 for ease of locking and unlocking. Theflipper 901 has a front surface 907 that is curved so as to mate with,in the locked position, the curved inner face of the support post. Theflipper 901 is integrally molded so as to provide a trough 905, in whichwill rest, when the corner support is in the unlocked position in theassembled state, the cylindrical shaft 134. The flipper 901 alsoincludes recesses 904 in ears 903.

The upper portion of the flipper has a cylindrical cavity 909 extendingtherethrough. A flipper pin 902 is, in the assembled state, installed inthe cylindrical cavity. The pin 902 may be made of two parts 902 a and902 b and have end caps 913. To assemble the corner support inaccordance with the present embodiment, the flipper 901 is positionedsuch that the cylindrical shaft 134 of the collar 900 rests in thetrough 905. Each part of the flipper pin then is inserted through therespective channels 906 and secured together with the flipper'scylindrical cavity. The end caps 913 thus rest outside the collartrapping the flipper and collar together. As can be seen most clearly inFIGS. 25A and 25B, in the unlocked position, the cylindrical shaft 134is positioned within the trough 905, and the recesses 904 are held bybumps 908, which tend to keep the flipper in the unlocked position. Uponrotating the flipper downwardly to the locked position, the frontsurface 902 of the flipper comes into contact with the support and theflipper imparts a compression force that secures the front surface tothe support post. The compression force occurs because the thickness ofthe top portion of the flipper is greater between the cylindrical cavityand the front face than between the cylindrical cavity and the top ofthe flipper. Because of this difference, rotation of the flipper intothe locked position forces the thicker portion of the flipper betweenthe shaft and the support post, which creates the compression force. Inaddition, as a shelf secured to the collar 900 is loaded, the collarwill move downwardly relative to the flipper. Therefore, interaction ofthe pin 902 with the upwardly inwardly directed back edges of thechannels 906 will also urge the flipper into tight engagement with thepost.

FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate a collar and flipper in accordance with athird embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention. As bestseen in FIG. 26A, the collar 1000 in accordance with this embodimentincludes an inward offset 1002 on each lateral side thereof. As willbecome more clear, the offset allows for easy assembly of the collar andflipper to form the corner support assembly. The collar 1000 alsoincludes L-shaped channels 1001 along each lateral side. Each channelhas a shorter horizontally oriented channel portion located at an upperend of the channel, and a longer generally vertically oriented channelportion. The generally vertically oriented channel portions are angledor inclined upwardly inwardly toward the back of the collar. As bestseen in FIG. 26B, the flipper 1118 in accordance with the present aspectis similar to the flipper shown in FIG. 24B except that in FIG. 26B theflipper is shown with a pin already installed into a cylindrical cavitynot visible in this view. The flipper has end caps 1011 extending fromeach side of a top portion thereof. The end caps are the ends of theinstalled pin, as discussed above. The flipper also has ears 1015 eachhaving tabs 1016 and a trough 1008 extending across an upper portion ofthe flipper. A front face 1100 is shaped so as to mate with an innersurface of the support post.

The offset 1002 and the horizontally oriented portions of the channels1001 cooperate to enable the collar and flipper to be easily assembledinto the corner support. To assemble the corner support, all that isrequired is to drop the flipper's end caps into the collar and pull theflipper forward, allowing the end caps to enter the L-shaped channels1001 at the horizontally oriented portions thereof. Because the channelsextend through the offset portion, a wider entry passageway is formedfor the end caps in the offset portion. Once the flipper is pulledforward and down, into the generally vertically oriented channelportions, the end caps will ride along the outside of the lateral facesof the collar and the flipper will not break apart from the collarunless the assembly process is reversed.

In the unlocked position, shown in FIG. 27A, the horizontal shaft 134rests in the trough 1008 and the end pins are captured within thechannels. Upon application of a downward force to the flipper, the frontface of the flipper is rotated so as to be brought into contact with theinner face of the support post. Because the upper portion of the flipperis thicker from back to front, and because the motion of the flipper isconstrained by being trapped in the channels, the rotation of theflipper creates a compression force that secures the corner assemblysecurely to the post, similarly to the previously discussed embodiment.In addition, as a shelf secured to the collar 1000 is loaded, the collarwill move downwardly relative to the flipper. Therefore, interaction ofthe pin with the upwardly inwardly directed back edges of the generallyvertically oriented channel portions will also urge the flipper intotight engagement with the post.

While the support system of the present invention has been describedabove in use with substantially triangular-shaped and D-shaped supportposts, support posts of other shapes can be used without departing fromthe scope of the invention. It will be appreciated that the underlyingprinciples of the invention can be used to provide a collar that iscontoured to fit around a support post of many shapes and fitted with arotatable flipper also contoured to complement the outer surface of awedge member engaged with the support post, or the tapered face of thesupport post. For example, in addition to the generally tri-lobal shapedposts shown in the figures, posts for use in the second and thirdaspects of the present invention also can be of a generally roundcross-section. When such posts are used in those aspects, the face ofthe wedge member, or of the wedging portion, is curved, for example,concavely, to correspond to the curvature of the surface of the post.

As the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments describes, anadvantage of the present invention is that it allows a user to quicklyand easily change the height of the supported item, e.g., a shelf, toaccommodate a variety of shelving applications. Moreover, since thesupport system allows the shelf frame to slide over the wedge membermounted on the support posts, height adjustment is easy and can be donewithout tools or without having to remove adjacent shelves. Theshelf-aligning feature of the invention further eases assembly and/oradjustment of the shelving system. And, since the structure providingthe inclined plane is trapped within the support assembly, or integrallyformed in the support post, there are no loose wedges to contend with.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed above in detail, it will be understood that this descriptionis merely for purposes of illustration. Various modifications of andequivalent structures corresponding to the disclosed aspects of thepreferred embodiments in addition to those described above may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention which is defined in the following claims, the scope ofwhich is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompasssuch modifications and equivalent structures.

1. A support system, comprising: a support post; a wedge member, havinga tapered portion, located on said support post, said wedge memberhaving a securing portion; and support means for adjustably supporting asupported member to said support post, said support means including alocking mechanism movable between a first position for press-fittingsaid wedge member against said support post and a second position forreleasing said press-fitting, said locking mechanism having a surfacethat abuts said wedge member when in the first position thereby toeffect said press-fitting and that is released from said wedge memberwhen moved to said second position to release said press-fitting, saidlocking mechanism cooperating with said securing portion of said wedgemember so that said wedge member and said support means remain engagedwith one another even when the support means is in the second position.2. A support system according to claim 1, wherein said support meanscomprises a collar adapted to be structurally associated with thesupported member, and said locking mechanism is rotatably supported bysaid collar, with said locking mechanism and said collar forming asleeve surrounding said support post.
 3. A support system according toclaim 2, wherein said collar is contoured to complement across-sectional shape of said support post.
 4. A support systemaccording to claim 3, wherein said support post has a generallytriangular cross-section with a rounded right angular apex.
 5. A supportsystem according to claim 3, wherein said support post has a generallyround cross-section.
 6. A support system according to claim 3, whereinsaid collar comprises first and second lateral sides and a rear section,connecting said first and second lateral sides, having a shape tocomplement the cross-sectional shape of said support post.
 7. A supportsystem according to claim 6, wherein said collar further comprises meansfor securing said locking mechanism.
 8. A support system according toclaim 7, wherein said securing means comprises a cylindrical shaftsecured between said first and second lateral sides of said collar.
 9. Asupport system according to claim 1, wherein said tapered portion ofsaid wedge member extends along its entire length.
 10. A support systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said tapered portion of said wedge memberextends along part of its length.
 11. A support system according toclaim 1, wherein said tapered portion of said wedge member extends alonga lower part of its length.
 12. A support system according to claim 1,wherein said wedge member is engaged with said support post, with saidlocking mechanism having a rear face mating with an outer surface ofsaid wedge member.
 13. A support system according to claim 12, whereinsaid outer surface and said rear face are substantially flat tocomplement each other.
 14. A support system according to claim 12,wherein said outer surface is convex and said rear face is concave tocomplement each other.
 15. A support system according to claim 12,wherein said outer surface is angled and said rear face has an angledcavity to complement each other.
 16. A support system according to claim1, wherein said locking mechanism rotates about an axis when saidsurface abuts said wedge member.
 17. A support system according to claim1, wherein said locking mechanism rotates about an axis transverse to alongitudinal axis of said support post when said surface abuts saidwedge member.
 18. A support system according to claim 1, wherein: (a)said collar comprises: first and second lateral sides and a rear sectionconnecting said first and second lateral sides, and channels extendingvertically in said first and second lateral sides; and (b) said securingportion of said wedge member comprises studs extending from lateralsides of said wedge member, said studs being cooperatively engaged insaid channels of said collar so as to trap said wedge member within saidsupport means.
 19. A support system according to claim 1, wherein: (a)said collar comprises: first and second lateral sides and a rear sectionconnecting said first and second lateral sides, a first cylindricalshaft secured between said first and second lateral sides of saidcollar, said first cylindrical shaft securing said locking mechanism tosaid collar, and a second cylindrical shaft secured between said firstand second lateral sides of said collar at a point higher than saidfirst cylindrical shaft; and (b) said securing portion of said wedgemember comprises an overhanging upper portion of said wedge member, saidoverhanging upper portion of said wedge member being cooperativelyengaged with said second cylindrical shaft so as to trap said wedgemember within said support means.
 20. A support system according toclaim 19, said wedge member further comprising guide slots and saidlocking mechanism further comprising raised guide portions at an upperportion thereof, wherein said guide portions rotatably engage said guideslots when said locking mechanism moves from the second position to thefirst position.
 21. A support system according to claim 19, said wedgemember further comprising a spring molded into a rear face of said wedgemember, the spring being compressed by said locking mechanism when saidlocking mechanism moves from the second position to the first position.22. A support system according to claim 19, wherein said overhangingupper portion of said wedge member has an inwardly projecting detent tosecurely engage said overhanging upper portion with said secondcylindrical shaft.
 23. A support system according to claim 1, wherein:(a) said collar comprises: first and second lateral sides and a rearsection connecting said first and second lateral sides; and (b) saidsecuring portion of said wedge member comprises studs extending fromlateral sides of said wedge member, said studs being located at upperand lower portions of each of the lateral sides of said wedge member,said wedge member and said collar being cooperatively engaged such thatthe studs remain above and below the lateral sides of said collar totrap said wedge member within said support means.
 24. A support systemaccording to claim 1, wherein: (a) said collar comprises: first andsecond lateral sides and a rear section connecting said first and secondlateral sides, and channels extending vertically in said first andsecond lateral sides; (b) said securing portion of said wedge membercomprises leaf springs extending from lateral sides of said wedgemember, and a camming structure formed on an outer surface of said wedgemember, said camming structure including first and second cammingchannels running parallel to one another and on opposite sides of saidcamming structure, each of said first and second camming channels beingwider at an upper part of the camming structure and narrower at a lowerpart of said camming structure; and (c) said locking mechanism comprisesan upper portion having fingers formed thereon, said fingers facing oneanother with a gap therebetween, said wedge member, said collar and saidlocking mechanism being cooperatively engaged with one another such thatsaid leaf springs remain within said channels of said collar to trapsaid wedge member within said support means and said fingers arepositioned so as to move reciprocatingly within said first and secondcamming channels, wherein when said locking mechanism is in said secondposition, said fingers are located within the lower part of said firstand second camming channels imparting a force tending to pry said wedgemember away from said support post and placing said leaf springs intension and, when said locking mechanism is moved to said firstposition, said fingers move to the upper part of the first and secondcamming channels, to apply a compression force to said wedge member toeffect said press fitting and to release the tension in said leafsprings.
 25. A support system according to claim 1, wherein: (a) saidcollar comprises: first and second lateral sides and a rear sectionconnecting said first and second lateral sides, and embossed channelsextending vertically in said first and second lateral sides, saidembossed channels being concave with respect to an interior of saidcollar; and (b) said securing portion of said wedge member comprisesspring members extending from lateral sides of said wedge member, saidwedge member, said collar and said locking mechanism being cooperativelyengaged with one another such that end portions of said spring membersrest within said channels of said collar to trap said wedge memberwithin said support means and to bias the tapered face of said wedgemember away from said support post when said locking mechanism is insaid second position, and when said locking mechanism is moved to saidfirst position, said locking mechanism places said spring members undertension by applying a compression force to said wedge member to effectsaid press fitting of said wedge member against said support post.
 26. Asupport system according to claim 25, said wedge member furthercomprising guide slots, and said locking mechanism further comprisingraised guide portions at an upper portion thereof, wherein said guideportions rotatably engage said guide slots when said locking mechanismmoves from the second position to the first position.